Adjustable switch-rail clip



R. E, EINSTEIN ADJUSTABLE SWITCH RAIL CLIP Filed Sept. 22. 1921 v I Q k B e f: 9] 3 p a 8 I Q 1.22 T 3 3 l i x I l I l i INVENTOR'.

Haber? EEzhsZez'n ATToRNEy' Patented May 22, I923,

UNITED TATES tease rat in ROBERT E. EINSTEIN, OF ST. LOUIS MISSOURI, ASSIGNOB TO ST. LOUIS FROG & SWITCH (30., OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

ADJUSTABLE SWITCH-RAIL CLIP.

Application filed September 22, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. E-INsrEIN, a citizen or" the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Adjustable Switch-Rail Clips, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to devices of the kind generally termed switch rail clips that are used for adjustably connecting a switch rod to the movable rails of a split switch.

The main object of the invention is to provide a switch rail clip that permits of various adjustments between the switch rod and the movable rails of the switch without throwing the switch rod out of longitudinal alignment with the connecting link that joins the switch rod to the switch stand that is used to operate the movable rails: of the switch, thereby maintaining the switch rod in such aposition that it exerts a direct thrust at all times on the clips at the center line of the clips, and consequently, reducing to a minimum the liability of bending the clips or buckling the switch rod sidewise, as sometimes occurs when a switch rod is subj ected to an abnormal strain at a time when it is eccentrically connected to the switch clips or connected to the clips at points located at one side of the center line of the clips.

Another object is to provide an adjustable switch rail clip of the type which comprises a horizontally-disposed yoke or U-shaped portion that embraces the switch rod, which is so constructed that the bottom piece of the yoke will notbe deflected or bent downwardly when the switch is in service, due to rocking of the movable rails of the switch, there- 'by eliminating the possibility of the switch rod assuming such a position that it will not properly operate the movable rails of the switch.

And still another object is to provide an adjustable switch rail clip of the character above referred to that is simple to adjust; that can be used with the standard switch rod now ingeneral use and substituted for a standard switch rail clip and which overcomes the necessity of moving or cutting the track ties, so as to provide a clearance for Serial No. 502,322.

the switch rod in making some adjustments of the clip.

To this end I have devised a switch rail clip that comprises what I will term a statlonary part that is rigidly connected to the movable switch rail with which the clip is used, and an adjustable part carried by said stationary part and having provision for enabling a standard switch rod to be connected to the clip at a number of different points in the center line of the clip and without throwing the switch rod out of longitudinal alignment with the link that connects said switch rod to the switch. stand. The stationary part of the clip is preferably provided with a horizontally-disposed yoke or substantially U-shaped portion that embraces the switch rod and the adjustable part of the clip is 'so constructed that it closes the open side of said yoke and prevents the top and bottom pieces of the yoke from spreading under certain conditions, the adjustable part of the clip herein shown consisting of a horizontally-disposed yoke that embraces the yoke-shaped portion of the stationary part of the clip and which is mounted on said stationary part in such a manner that it is held against movement longitudinally of the switch rod, but is capable of being adjusted transversely of the switch rod. The connection between the switch rod and the clip is made by a bolt or other suitable fastening device that passes through the switch rod and the adjustable part of the clip, and said adjustable part is provided with a number of holes for said bolt or fastening device arranged in such a manner that shifting said adjustable part transversely of the stationary part of the clip brings into service a diiterent bolt hole whose position is such that a change will be efi'ected in the point of connection between the switch rod and the clip when the bolt Or fastening device is inserted in said hole. In other words, the adjustable part of the clip is provided with a number of bolt holes located different distances from the rail to which the clip is connected, and said adjustable part is mounted on the stationary part of the clip in such a manner that it can be shifted relatively to same so as to bring any one e f-said holes into longitudinal alignment with the center line of the switch rod and the center line of the stationary part of the clip so as to receive the bolt or other device that is used for connecting the switch rod to the clip.

Figure 1 of the drawings'is a top plan view of a railway switch equipped with adj ustable clips constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of said switch.

Figure 3 is aperspective view, illustrating the stationary part and the adjustable. part of the clip separated; and

Figures 4 and 5 are top plan views of the clip, showing the adjustable part of the clip arranged in different positions.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the movable rails of a split switch, B designates a switch rod that is connected to said movable rails so as to change the position of same and C designates the link that is used for connecting the switch rod 13 to the switch stand (not shown) that is used for operating the switch.

My invention consists in an adjustable clip of novel construction for connecting the switch rod B to, the movable rails A of the switch. Said clip is composed of two parts, namely, a stationary part X that is rigidly connected to the movable rail of the switch with which the clip co-operates, and an adjustable part Y mounted on the stationary part X of theclip and provided with means that enables the switch rod B to be connected to the clip at a number of different points in longitudinal alignment with the center line of the clip. In the form of my invention herein illustrated the stationary part X of the clip comprises a horizontally-disposed yoke or substantially U- shaped portion 1 integrally connected to a bracket 2 having a vertical portion 3 through which bolts or other suitable fastening devices 4 pass so as to rigidly connect said bracket to one of the movable rails A of the switch. The adjustable part Y of the clip consists ot a horizontally-disposed, yoke-shaped member that is ai'lapted to be slipped transversely over the yoke-shaped portion 1 oil? the stationary part X, the top and bottom pieces of the yoke-shaped portion 1 of the stationary part having transversely-disposed grooves termed in same so as to form shoulders 5 on the stationary part X that take up the longitudinal thrusts to which the adjustable -part 1 is subjected trom'the switch rod l I Theswitch rod B is embraced by the yokeshaped portion lot the stationary part X of the clip and is adjustably connected to said stationary part by means of the adjustable part Y of the clip, and a bolt or "fastening device 6 that passes through said switch rod and'throughone pair of a series of aligned I holes in the top and bottom pieces of the adjustable part of the clip, the yokeshaped portion l of the stationary partof the clip being provided with elongated slots or openings 7 through which the bolt 6 passes. Accordingly, the bolt 6 serves to connect the switch rod to the adjustable part Y of the clip and it also prevents said adjustable part from moving transversely with relation to the yoke-shaped portion 1 of the stationary part oil? the clip. The slots 7 in said yoke-shaped portion are of suiiicient length to permit the adjustable element Y of the clip to be arranged in various positions, as hereinafter described, without causing the bolt 6 to bear against the ends of said slots, as I prefer to transmit the thrust from the switch rod to the stationary part of the clip through the adjustable part Y and the shoulders 5 on the stationary part against which said adjustable part Y bears. The adjustable part Y of the clip may be provided with any desired number. of holes arranged in any preferred manner to receive the bolt or other device 6 thatis used for connecting the switch rod to the clip,

but I prefer to form two or more holes in each of the top and bottom pieces of the adjustable part Y on a line that extends at an angle to the rail to which the clip is connected so that each pair of vertically aligned holes in the part Y will be located a diiterent distance from the rail towhich the clip is connected. ln-the form of my invention herein illustrated the adjustable part Y of the clip is provided with three sets of yer-f tically aligned holes 8,8 and 8 as shown in Figure 3, the holes 8 being located close to the rail to which the clip is connected, the holes 8 a slightly greater distance from the rail and the holes 8? a still greater distance from the rail, as shown more clearly .in Figure 1. Assuming that the bolt 6 is arranged in the Vertically aligned holes 8" in the adjustable partY of the clip, as shown in Figure 4t, and that it is desired to move the rail it to which the clip is connected closer to the main rail of the track with which said movable rail co-operates, it is only necessary to remove the bolt 6, shift the adjustable part Y of the cliptransversely of the stationary part X so as to bring the bolt rod to the switch stand. Similarly the holes 8 in the adjustable part of the clip be used :tor effecting another ad ustment between the clip and. the switch rod, The

holes 8, 8? and 8 in the top and bottom pieces of the adjustable part Y are arranged closer to one of the longitudinal edges of said part than to the other longitudinal edge of said part. This feature of my in vention is shown more clearly in Figures =l and 5, wherein it will be noted that the center holes 8 are arranged closer to the outer edge of the part Y (the top edge looking at Figures & and 5) than to the inner edge of said part. Likewise, the distance between the outer edge of the part Y and the centers of the holes 8 is less than the distance between the centers of the holes 8 and the inner edge of the part Y. The purpose of arranging the holes in the part Y in the man ner above described is to enable said part Y to be reversed so as to obtain three additional adjustments, for when said part Y is reversed the holes 8, 8 and 8 will be arranged closer to the rail than when said part Y is in the position shown in Figures 4: and 5. Consequently, a clip whose adjustable part is provided with three sets of holes arranged on a line that extends at an angle to the rail with which the clip co-operates and positioned closer to one of the longitudinal edges of said part than to its other longitudinal edge, is capable of six separate adjustments to change the pointof connection between the clip and the switch rod. In each adjustment of the clip the bolt 6 that connects the switch rod to the clip occupies the same position, namely, it remains in the center line of the clip and in the center line of the switch rod. Consequently, with an adjustable switch clip of the construction above described there is no liability of bending the clip or buckling the switch rod, as so often occurs when a switch rod is subj ected to an abnormal strain at a time when it is eccentrically connected to the switch clips or connected to the switch clips at points to one side of the center line of the clips. In other words, my clip is distinguishcd from adjustable switch clips of this general type that have heretofore been in use, in that the bolt or fastening device that is used for connecting the switch rod to the clip is always located in the center line of the clip, thus insuring that the switch rod will exert a direct thrust on the clip and also insuring that the switch rod will remain in longitudinal alignment with the link that joins said switch rod to the switch stand. Moreover, a. switch clip of the construction above described is much stronger than prior switch clips of the type that comprise a horizontally-disposed yoke which embraces the switch rod, owing to the fact that the adjustable part Y of my improved clip embraces the top and bottom pieces of the yokeshaped portion of the stationary part X of the clip and prevents the bottom piece of said yoke-shaped portion from being defiected or bent downwardly by a vertical rockingmovement of the rail to which the clip is connected, and thus interfering with the proper working of the movable rails of the switch under traffic. As the switch rod always remains in the same position, irrespective of the position of the adjustable aart Y' of the clip, it is not necessary to move or cut away the track ties to provide a clearance for the switch rod in certain adjustments oi' the clip, as is necessary with some kinds of adjustable switch clips that have heretofore been devised. Moreover, my switch clip is or" such design that it is not diiiicult for a track laborer to understand how to adjust same; it can be used with a standard switch rod and it can be interchanged with the type of. switch clip now in general use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An adjustable switch clip, comprising a stationary part adapted to be connected to a switch rail and provided with an elongated hole, an adjustable part on said stationary part provided with a plurality of holes located different distances from the switch rail and adapted to be moved transversely of said stationary part so as to bring a selected hole in said adjustable part into longitudinal alignment with the elongated hole in said stationary part, a switch rod, and a removable fastening device passing through said selected hole and elongated hole for securing the switch rod to said adjustable part.

2. An adjust-able switch clip, comprising a stationary part that is adapted to be connected to a switch rail and provided with an elongated hole arranged in the center line of said part for receiving a fasteningdevice secured to a switch rod, and an adjustable element on said. part provided with a plurality of holes located difi'erent distances from the rail to which the clip is connected and adapted to be moved transversely of said stationary part so as to bring a selected hole in said element into alignment with said elongated slot so as to receive the fastening device on the switch rod.

3. An adjustable switch clip, comprising a stationary part that is adapted to be con nected to a movable switch rail, and a transversely adjustable element on said part havmg provision for enabling a switch rod to be connected to same at a number of points, said element being so constructed that it can be reversed end for end for the purpose described.

4. An adjustable switch clip, comprising a stationary part adapted to be connected to a movable switch rail and provided with a yoke-shaped portion that is adapted to loosely embrace a switch rod provided with a bolt, a yoke-shaped element embracing the yoke-shaped portion of said stationary part and mounted on same in such a manner that'it can be adjusted transversely of for receiving a switch rod, said yokeshaped portion having transversely-disposed grooves in the top and bottom pieces of same, a yoke-shaped element embracing the yoke-shaped portion ofsaid stationary part and slidingly mounted in grooves in same, and means for connecting the switch rod to said yoke-shaped element and for preventing said yoke-shaped element from moving with relation to the part which it embraces.

ROBERT E. EINSTEIN. 

